Feeding and Lighting Question

[Andy V]

I have my lights scheduled to come on at 10am and shut off at 10pm. A 12 hour day is what the real reefs get, so that is why I have them on for 12 hours.

I leave my house at 6am and get home around 8pm, so I have them shutting off at 10 so I can enjoy the tank for a couple hours during the week.

Recently, I added some fish that seem to need to be fed twice a day. I used to only feed once a day with no problem, but now when I feed the fish go so CRAZY that I think I need to feed twice a day.

Given my work hours and the fact that the lights are off in the morning, what would anyone suggest?

I'd rather not do the lights from 8pm to 8am, because then I can't enjoy the tank during the day on the weekend, and the natural light is bright enough to wake some of the fish.

Maybe I just do nothing...

 

[stingythingy45]

Recently, I added some fish that seem to need to be fed twice a day. I used to only feed once a day with no problem, but now when I feed the fish go so CRAZY that I think I need to feed twice a day.

I would ignore the fish.
All fish go crazy when you feed them,IMO.

 

[Andy V]

I agree...it's just the new degree of craziness that made me wonder.

 

[kevinpratt823]

I would still only feed once anyhow, but that being said, my actinics are on for over 14 hrs with the halides for 8-9 hrs in the middle, I don't think actinics can cause any photoinhibition, I see no problem with turning them on in the AM so you can check things out before you leave.

 

[lisa foster]

I feed my fish 2x daily mainly because of my blue throat and my valingi tang they finish what I put in in about 60 seconds. I had read 2x daily mimics better their feeding habits in the wild.

 

[snowmaker]

A 12 hour day is what the real reefs get

Maybe true, but the sun is not directly overhead for 12 hrs.
If you are concerned about electricity consumption, 8 hrs works fine. Ideally you might run actinics / low power lighting for 1 or 2 hours before and after the high power lights.